Pittsburgh, PA Looks to Reduce Waste with Climate Change ‘Action Plan’

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Pittsburgh officials said they’re eyeing ways to cut back on waste, be more environmentally friendly and prepare for potential impacts of climate change as part of the city’s Climate Action Plan. Flore Marion, the city’s energy advisor, said the city’s sustainability and resilience team are working to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving recycling and composting programs, and encouraging others in the region to do the same. “There’s really a sense of urgency we’re starting to see,” she said.

The climate action plan outlines the city’s strategies for reaching its environmental impact goals. It includes goals of transitioning to 100% renewable energy in city facilities and cutting energy and water use at city facilities in half by 2030. It also aspires to a fossil-fuel-free fleet and a citywide reduction in transportation emissions of 50%.

The plan also calls for the city to be waste-free by 2030, which is something city officials have been “really focused on,” said Afton Giles, principal planner with the city’s sustainability and resilience division. To eliminate unnecessary waste, she said, the city is looking to transition to a “circular economy” where things are reused rather than discarded. Giles said the city has already made strides to that goal by providing recycling bins to city residents and launching a pilot program to explore composting options.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantage.com